The Backpack Adventures

Located in  68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City in  Kyoto Prefecture, Fushimi Inari Taisha / Fushimi Inari Shrine ( 伏見稲荷大社 ) is the head shrine of Inari. It serves as the general headquarters of all 30,000+ shrines dedicated to Inari. It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It can be found t the base of Mount Inari and is one of the most visited places in Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha Fushimi Inari Shrine history The earliest structures of Fushimi Inari Shrine were built in 711 on Inariyama hill in the southwestern part of Kyoto. The shrine was then relocated in 816 upon the request of the monk Kukai . The main shrine, however, was built sometime in 1499.  Fushimi Inari Shrine became an object of imperial patronage during the early Heian period.  Fushimi Inari Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Inari , as you may know, is the god of rice and aside from that the patron of business. Because of that, The shrine is frequented by businessmen wishing for success

Day 9   December 27, 2014 A Day in Kyoto City I had an awesome solo backpacking tour of Wakayama Prefecture yesterday. This time, I'll be going on a temple tour in Kyoto Prefecture. However, instead of going on another solo trip, I will be accompanied by my wife, daughter, and my Japanese family. Yay Kyoto! First stop:  Fushimi Inari Taisha Although traffic jams are nearly non-existent in the area of Osaka Prefecture that we stay in, we still left early in hopes of avoiding an influx of local and foreign tourists that might flock to Kyoto Prefecture today. (It's a Saturday today that's why). I finally saw the famous torii gates of Fushimi Inari We arrived at Fushimi-Inari Taisha at around 9AM. It was one of Mr. Toshi's hand-picked destinations in Kyoto Prefecture. The place is well known for the hundreds of torii gates that were donated by businessmen. You would also notice the importance of foxes to the shrine as depicted by the numerous statues and imag

Located in 1201 Kimiidera, Wakayama City in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan , Kimiidera ( 紀三井寺 )  is a mountaintop temple which is part (#2) of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage of Western Japan. Kimiidera Kimiidera Details Also known as  Gokukuin , Kimiidera was believed to have been established in 770AD by a Chinese Buddhist monk named Weiguang . Kimiidera - Wakayama City It was believed that monk Weiguang carved the statues of Kannon Bodhisattra which was placed in the original prayer hall. The   Sakura-mon  (gate) found at the bottom of the hill  The Sakura-mon (gate) up close Small figurines found around the vicinity The Shinbutsuden houses one of the largest images of Buddha The statue of Buddha inside the temple ( Senju Kannon ) Throw a coin and be lucky. The bell outside the first temple Kimiidera became prominent during the rule of Japanese Emperor Shirakawa. He proclaimed the temple as an imperial temple. Kimiidera (Temple) once belonged to the